The functional significance of leaf shape lies in water relations over thermoregulation: a case study with an arid legume herb

The functional significance of leaf shape lies in water relations over thermoregulation: a case study with an arid legume herb | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Plant, Cell & Environment This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 11 September 2025 V1 Latest version Share on The functional significance of leaf shape lies in water relations over thermoregulation: a case study with an arid legume herb Authors : Hui WANG 0000-0003-4149-1144 [email protected] , Jian LI , Jun-Yu CHEN , Min WANG , Eric IMBERT , and Zhao-Yang CHANG Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175759960.08217861/v1 Published Plant, Cell & Environment Version of record Peer review timeline 394 views 175 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Leaf shape displays remarkable diversity, with its evolution hypothesized to reflect adaptive ecophysiological functions. Theoretical models propose that variation in leaf shape—particularly through modifications in effective leaf width ( w e )—primarily influences thermoregulation and hydraulic efficiency. However, comprehensive empirical tests of both hypotheses are lacking. Oxytropis diversifolia (Fabaceae) has natural variation in leaf shape (1 leaflet, 1–3 leaflets, and 3 leaflets) and exhibits clinal variation, making it an ideal candidate to test those functional relationships. Here, we quantified leaf morphometrics across populations, logged in situ leaf temperature and gas exchange, and examined leaf anatomy associated with water balance. We found that the production of more leaflets did reduce w e . Leaves with reduced w e could stay cooler during the day, but the extent of leaf-to-air temperature difference was typically small (often within 1℃); to some extents, the intermediate 1–3-leaflet phenotype exhibited superior gas exchange. Leaf anatomy showed a benefit-cost: reduced w e correlated with a decreased mesophyll-to-mid-vein ratio and increased vein density, whereas vascular dimensions were also significantly decreased. We propose that the functional significance of leaf shape lies in water relations over thermoregulation. The trade-off in water balance could probably lead to balancing selection maintaining leaf-shape variation. Supplementary Material File (250910main text.docx) Download 3.42 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 11 September 2025 Peer review timeline Published Plant, Cell & Environment Version of Record 9 Mar 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Plant, Cell & Environment Keywords effective leaf width leaf anatomy leaf shape leaf temperature water relations Authors Affiliations Hui WANG 0000-0003-4149-1144 [email protected] Northwest A&F University College of Life Sciences View all articles by this author Jian LI Northwest A&F University College of Life Sciences View all articles by this author Jun-Yu CHEN Northwest A&F University College of Life Sciences View all articles by this author Min WANG Northwest A&F University College of Life Sciences View all articles by this author Eric IMBERT Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier View all articles by this author Zhao-Yang CHANG Northwest A&F University College of Life Sciences View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 394 views 175 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Hui WANG, Jian LI, Jun-Yu CHEN, et al. The functional significance of leaf shape lies in water relations over thermoregulation: a case study with an arid legume herb. Authorea . 11 September 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175759960.08217861/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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